With Prelims result out almost 10 days ago, I hope that those | Shubham Kumar: Strategy and Notes for UPSC(CSE)

With Prelims result out almost 10 days ago, I hope that those who cleared are into full fledged mains preparation.

Those who didn’t clear, remember this is not the end.

Few pointers for those who are freshers and those who didn’t clear this time:

1) By looking at the recent years toppers one can easily conclude that even many toppers have failed in their 1st/2nd prelims.

2) There is always risk factor involved when you are facing such a competitive exam. Through only two ways one can minimise the risk- good preparation and more attempts (one should also know when to stop)

3) UPSC has changed the way it used to ask questions. Many such surprises might come in future too. So what is the solution?

Prepare all the topics and practice tests— so almost no change the way we prepare?

A little:

Don’t think that whatever you prepare would be asked in the exam. Rather gain maximum knowledge according to syllabus and attempt large number of tests to make yourself ready for any kind of paper— helps in minimising blunders

And also, be ready for the worst. UPSC knows how to not ask questions from the materials popular in the market. Never miss core concepts— helps in any kind of paper


4) UPSC wants you to consider CSAT as important as Paper 1. This has become so important that those who cleared CSAT this year- most of them have cleared Prelims also !!

— there are many free videos available on YouTube. One can also join some guidance/coaching separately for CSAT.

5) Use this time to make mains preparation robust, so that once you clear prelims you clear mains also.

Enrich your GS- 1,2,3,4 and also optional. Watch recent toppers videos and do value addition in each topics. Also, write GS and Optional tests by December

Also now is the time to improve your answer writing and cover PYQs of mains (still mains PYQs are relevant) !!